New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-03
RIVER STEAMERS RACING.
A PROPELLER BEATS A s1DE-wHELER,
THE KINGSTON AND KAATERsKILL TRY CoNCLo'
sIoNs AND THE FORMER WINS.

HE hlNuoION AND hAAlbhchAbh '"A ~~~~
sIONs AND THE FORMER WINS.
That the side-wheelers are not the only ias'
steamers on the Hudson river ppoven satfsfac-
tory by the steamerCity OF Kingston yesterday
TWAS four minutes after o'clock yesterday afternoon
when she left her pler at Jays and got under head
way for Kingston Four minutes later the Dig three
decker sde-wheel steamer Kaatersll swung out from
the Harrison-st pier block below. Her decks
were filled with passengers like those OF the Kingston,
bound for the mountains TO pass Sunday ana thH
Fourth The Raa.ersklI looked like village aaoat
as she righted herself midstream and pointed her
nose In the direction OF the Kingston. IL was the
first day trip to Kaaterskill and she made no stops
along the route Her big wheels began to revolve
rapidly under the Impetus of her powerful machinery,
churning the water into suds, and two fountan-like
streams spurted from under her bows. Her passen-
gers looked ahead at the Kingston which was Just
passing Canalst, and congratulated Themselves that
they would overhaul that tugboat aad leave her
In the wake"
Their calculations were little premature. The
Kingston is iron steamer with single screw. She
was built three years ago on new theory for pas
and freight boat and Is long and narrow, with
a draught Of twelve feet, against six feet for the
Kaatersk She has had the day traffic all TO herself
and several times last season on the
down trip It has been nip and tuck be
tween her and the Kaaterslkill. Some changes
made In her machinery this season that Captain
W. s. Van Keuren satisfied had increased her
speed, and he did not fear any reasonable trial within
regulation limits She glidcd along tho water with
scarcely tremor and leaving OF a trail than
o big steam yacht BY the time she had come up
abreast Of the Twenty hrst. ferry slip the Kingston
under good Roadway and plouehing her way
steadily against the ebblng tide. The Kaatersk
In straight limo behind but had only reached Chr
topherst The distance continued to widen as tn
iron steamer reached Riverside and ran past the
Grant monument grounds. Several old river captains
f.A 10 nAp and
who had been rather scoptca OF her qualities looked
back and declared that tho Kaaterskl was moro than
O milo In the rear
1t had now become evident on the side-wheel boat
that 1t not chRs play to overake the propeller.
and she settled down to steady work, poughing up
the little waves and leaving broad. white path In
her wake. As they steamed along the Palisades
to HavorssIaw Bay tho enthusiasm OF her passcn-
gers again The Kingston apparently did
not do az well over the shoals, where there was a
strong undertOw that stuck to her deep bottom The
long space between them began to shorten and friends
of the Kaaerskill made small wagers that the iron
boat would be overtaken before she reached Stony
Point.
THAT win be a fair test" said one, sand when
tho KaaterskIll gets into Inc Highlands where her
light draft will permit her to cut she will leave
the propeller behind"
In tho bay however, II appeared that the Kingston
had been "piaying 'possum." She glded ahead SO
back In the When she passed Stony Point and
entered tho Highlands the Kaatcrskil was two miles
behind. As the stern of the Kingston rounded the
base Of Anthonys Nose. or the Dunderberg, the
Of the Kaaterskll could just DO behind pointing
around some distant curve Al Newburg the Kingston
made her first stop at y. M, the kaaterskill
out OF tho shadow Of the Storm King mountain SIX
minutes were occupied in putting OH passengers and
freight and the two steamers were nearly abreast
when tho Kingston pulled away from tho Newburg
pier.
The Kaatorskill was under full Roadway In mid
stream, but tho Iron steamer showed what speed
she capable Of she shot out from tho pier
across the river for position. The kaaterskli had
tho advantage and held H. For five minutes II looked
a. though the Kingston would have TO take her turn
In the rear. Then she gained steadily anal lead the
way to Poughkecpsie, her next stopping place. Both
steamers exchanged parting whistles the Kings
ton went up the pier, but the river captains said last
night that this settled the question Of the klngstons
supremacy.
Captain Van Keumn reviewed the matter calmly.
He said that there wa no question OF the fast quail
and he bcllcvd that could be built for passcn-
ger traffic that would beat tho Mary Powell the
hudson. but no aided
4" | don't want IL said that tho Kingston had
been racing That could not be done and / would
not do IL with load OF passengers. Our time 10
Newburg was three hours and have often made IL In
less. / have not at any time this trip had the
steam up the limit allowed by the Kingston's
certificate. n n friendly and accidental contest
and neither Of the boats made fast timo they
night have ~
Captain Ruton, OF the Kaaterskn, also stated that
his boat was not put 10 full speed.